The Parent-School Partnership: A Collaborative Approach to Preventing Burnout

No parent is an island, and neither is a school. A clinical psychologist suggests that a strong partnership between parents and educators is a powerful strategy for preventing student burnout. When home and school work together, they can create a consistent and supportive environment for the child.
Clinical psychologist Meghna Kanwat advises parents to help their children “maintain [a] strong school connection.” This connection is not just for the student; it’s for the parent too. Opening a line of communication with your child’s teachers at the beginning of the year, before any problems arise, can establish a collaborative tone.
This partnership allows for early detection of burnout signs. A teacher might notice a drop in class participation or a cynical attitude, while a parent might see fatigue and withdrawal at home. By sharing these observations, they can get a more complete picture of the child’s well-being and intervene sooner.
Parents and teachers can also work together to manage workloads and expectations. If a child is feeling overwhelmed, a parent can advocate for them, perhaps by discussing deadlines or assignment modifications with the teacher. This teaches the child that the adults in their life are a team working in their best interest.
Ultimately, this partnership helps create a school environment where the student feels “supported rather than simply evaluated,” as Kanwat puts it. When a child knows that their parents and teachers are on the same page and care about their well-being, the entire educational experience feels less isolating and stressful.